View full sizeRoz SchrankAn all-time high of 582 cedar waxwings were counted during the May 19 bird census in the CVNP.

As a college student in the ‘70s, I remember the thrill of interviewing Congressman John Seiberling of Akron for a paper I was writing about his proposal to establish a 30-mile long green space between Cleveland and Akron along the Cuyahoga River corridor.

Seiberling’s almost unimaginable vision became a reality when then-President Gerald Ford signed the bill creating the recreation area that would soon become the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

Now, jump forward nearly 40 years to 2012, when I joined 55 birders divided into 20 teams for the spring census of the CVNP.

View full sizeJerry TalkingtonFor the first time since the survey began in 1995, black-capped chickadees failed to outnumber tufted titmice in the CVNP bird census.

At its inception, few of us could have dreamed of the spectacular asset that the park would become as a recreational destination, a buffer against unchecked development, and one of the most productive birding locations in the country.

Twice a year since 1995, park volunteer Dwight Chasar has gauged the growth, or decline, of bird populations at the CVNP. The findings, for the most part, have been encouraging.

I previously wrote about the enjoyment my group experienced during the May 19 census, which included the exciting discovery of a Lawrence’s warbler by Larry Rosche and Judy Semroc. The male bird remained in the same location, near Goosefeather Pond, several weeks later, although its chances of nesting success were nil because it is a hybrid and infertile.

Recently, Chasar released the results of the census, which provided optimism for years of continued birding population growth and expansion in the Cuyahoga Valley.

The date of the survey was the latest ever, which probably accounted for the reduced total species – 124 – compared to years past. Many of the spring migrants had already passed through Northeast Ohio by then.

View full sizeJudy SemrocBird census takers counted only three prothonotary warblers in the CVNP -- a surprisingly low number compared to years past.

The late date also may help to explain the all-time high numbers of yellow-throated vireos (26), cedar waxwings (582), Eastern wood-pewees (83), willow and alder flycatchers (40 and 5), Chasar surmised.

The date also was likely to blame for the first time absence of ruby-crowned kinglets, white-crowned sparrows and American woodcocks, all of which were present in expected numbers earlier in the spring.

Remarkably, tufted titmice outnumbered black-capped chickadees for the first time ever: 138-119.

The Lawrence’s warbler was the first census sighting since 1999.

Other notable numbers to be enthused by, and which confirmed my own anecdotal sightings of the species, included:

I was surprised by the numbers of yellow-throated warblers (6) compared to cerulean warblers (18) – an anomaly in light of my personal observations in the cottonwoods that line the river, where yellow-throateds appear to outnumber the ceruleans.

To share in this truly rewarding experience by participating in the fall census contact Chasar at:

ascdwc43@yahoo.com

SIGHTINGS:

The summer of dickcissels continued last week in Lorain County, as Sally Isacco reported eight dickcissels at the Sandy Ridge Reservation in North Ridgeville. She also heard a pair of calling yellow-billed cuckoos. Three dickcissels were at the Margaret Peak Preserve in Eaton Township.

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